Load line connection spillage container

ABSTRACT

An injection-molded load line connection spillage container for catching and retaining liquid spilled when liquids are pumped between storage tanks and tankers provides an injection-molded reservoir and an injection-molded cover attached to the reservoir by hinges. Reinforcing ribs molded into the reservoir provide strength and ruggedness without the need for reinforcing steel collars and saddles. Gussets molded into the reservoir hinge brackets ensure repeated stresses produced by energetic opening of the cover does not result in failure of the hinge brackets. An optional load line mounting assembly permits secure mounting of the load line container directly onto the load line. An optional cleanout assembly provides a valved suction line for removing retained spillage, and an optional sampling assembly provides a valved sample line for sampling the liquid being transferred.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/660,260 for Load Line Connection Spillage Container filedFeb. 23, 2010 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/259,577 for Load Line Connection Spillage Container filed on Oct.28, 2008 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,658.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to containment of oil, waste, andchemical spills, and more particularly, to a container for containingspillage at a load line connection. As used herein, the terms “load lineconnection spillage container,” “load line spillage container,” and“load line container” refer, interchangeably, to applicants' invention.

2. Discussion

Environmental concerns require containment of oil, waste, and otherchemical spills from pipelines, storage tanks, tanker trucks, andrailroad tankers. Pollution occurring when liquids are transferredbetween storage tanks and tanker vehicles through transfer lines is acontinuing concern. Although transfer lines occasionally fail, leakagemore typically occurs where the line from the tanker truck or railroadtanker attaches to the storage tank unloading line. The transfer linesare normally equipped with quick connect fittings, but spillage canoccur during connection and disconnection of the transfer lines.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,313,991 is directed to an oil and waste line connectionspillage containment apparatus (also referred to herein as a “load linecontainer”) constructed from non-corrosive and rustproof materials. Asubstantially cylindrical container has two openings for receiving oiland waste loading and unloading lines therein. The lines are connectedwithin the container. A circular cover encloses the container and isfastened and unfastened from the container using a pair of L-shapedmembers. Any oil and waste spilled from the connection is removed fromthe container when the lines are disconnected. In the alternative, aremoval line with an auxiliary valve is used to withdraw the oil andwaste from the container through the loading line. When the unloadingline is removed from the opening in the container, a vented plug isinserted into the opening.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,412 is also directed to an apparatus for containingoil and waste spillage at a line connection. A load line container hasopposed sidewall openings which receive loading and unloading lines,respectively, which are coupled within the container. Any spillage fromthe ends of the lines and the line connection is retained within thecontainer. A lid closes the top end of the container when the unloadingline is removed from the apparatus. With the unloading line removed fromthe container and the lid closed, an extension member attached to thelid covers the sidewall opening that is used for receiving the unloadingline within the container.

Load line containers according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,412 made fromfiberglass, medium density polyethylene, and high density polyethylenehave been marketed in the United States and abroad. These load linecontainers have capacities, i.e., the maximum volume of spillage to becontained, of up to 35 gallons. The weight of the apparatus itself isnominal, but the combined weight of transfer lines and steel couplingsassociated with the unloading line and transfer lines is significant. Inaddition, the oil and waste spillage contained within the apparatus canweigh up to about 250 pounds. Finally, the apparatus is typicallydeployed in remote locations requiring a rugged product able towithstand rough treatment. In the past, steel collars, steel plates, andsteel saddles have been used to strengthen the load line containers. Itwould be highly desirable to have a load line container which issufficiently rugged for oil field application without the necessity ofreinforcing steel collars, plates, and saddles.

What is needed is an injection molded load line container having astructure which is inherently strong and rugged, thereby eliminated theneed for reinforcing steel collars, plates, and saddles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An injection-molded load line connection spillage container for catchingand retaining liquid spilled during transfers of liquids between storagetank and tankers provides an injection-molded reservoir and aninjection-molded cover attached to the reservoir by hinges. Reinforcingribs molded into the reservoir provide the strength and ruggednessrequired for oil field applications. Gussets molded into the reservoirhinge brackets ensure repeated stresses produced by energetic opening ofthe cover does not result in failure of the hinge brackets. An optionalload line mounting assembly permits secure mounting of the load linecontainer directly onto the load line. An optional cleanout assemblyprovides a valved suction line for removing retained spillage, and anoptional sampling assembly provides a valved sample line for samplingthe liquid being transferred. An optional main line valve containedwithin the load line container provides secure control of transferbetween the storage tank and the tankers. An optional flow meterassembly, either in-line or clamped to the exterior of a transfer line,permits measurement of the volume of liquid transferred.

An object of the invention is to provide a rugged corrosion-resistantand wear-resistant container for collecting spillages at load lineconnections.

Another object of the invention is to provide a load line connectionspillage container with a built-in cleanout assembly for removingcaptured liquids from the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a load line connectionspillage container which can endure the wear and tear associated withoil field operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a load line connection spillage container,including a reservoir and a reservoir cover, according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the load line connection spillage containershown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view, with the reservoir cover open, of the load lineconnection spillage container shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view, with cover and load line mounting assemblyremoved, of the reservoir of the load line connection spillage containershown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is another view, with cover and load line mounting assemblyremoved, of the reservoir of the load line connection spillage containershown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the reservoir of the load line connectionspillage container shown in FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 7 is a view of the load line connection spillage container shown inFIGS. 1-3 with a load line mounting assembly and an optional clean-outassembly. The load line connection spillage container in FIG. 7 is shownwith the reservoir cover partially cut away.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail of the load line mounting assembly and theclean-out assembly shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the load line connection spillage containershown in FIGS. 1-3 and FIG. 7 with an optional bottom drain assembly.

FIG. 10 is a view of the load line connection spillage containeraccording to the present invention, together with the optional bottomdrain assembly.

FIG. 11 is another view of the load line connection spillage containershown in FIG. 10 without the optional bottom drain.

FIG. 12 is a view of another load line connection spillage containeraccording to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view, with the hinged reservoir cover partially cut away,of the load line connection spillage container according to the presentinvention in conjunction with optional enclosed main valve, optionalcleanout assembly, and optional sampling assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of the invention, like numerals andcharacters designate like elements throughout the figures of thedrawings.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-3, a load line container 20 has areservoir cover 22 (also referred to herein as a cover) attached to areservoir 24 by hinges 26. Typically, the load line container 20 ismounted on a load line (not shown) from a storage tank (not shown).Another line (not shown) extends from a removal source such as a tanktruck (not shown) for connection to the loading line within the loadline container 20. Thus the load line container 20 provides a point ofconnection between the loading line (from the storage tank) and theunloading line (from the tank truck). It will be understood by oneskilled in the art that, while the present invention is described in thecontext of transfer of liquid from a storage tank to a removal sourcesuch as a tank truck, liquids are also routinely transferred from tanktrucks to storage tanks. Thus, whereas the term “loading line” is usedherein, for ease of illustration, to indicate the line attached to thestorage tank and the term “unloading line” is used, for ease ofillustration, to indicate the line attached to a tank truck or otherremoval source (e.g., a rail car), both “loading lines” and “unloadinglines” are liquid transfer lines facilitating flow either to or from astorage facility.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, the reservoir cover 22 is generallycircular with a central dome portion 28 and a lip 30. A handle 32adjacent the lip 30 is generally centered over a downwardly projectingarcuate member 34. The downwardly projecting arcuate member 34 and thehandle 32 are generally diametrically opposed to the hinges 26. A recess36 in the lip 30 has a bore 38 therein for receiving a lock (not shown).

Referring now to FIG. 3, a pair of reservoir cover hinge members 40extend outwardly from the lip 30 opposite the handle 32 and thedownwardly projecting arcuate member 34. The reservoir cover hingemembers 40 and the pair of hinges 26 are shown more clearly in FIG. 10and FIG. 12. Hinge pins 42 are disposed through bores 44 (not shown) inthe cover hinge members 40. In FIGS. 10 and 12, the hinge pins 42 arethreaded bolts with self-locking nuts. As will be discussed more fullybelow, the self-locking nuts prevent access to the load line container20 by unauthorized personnel.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6 in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3, the reservoir24 of the load line connection container 20 has an integrally moldedbottom 46 and upstanding side walls 48 defining an open upper endportion 50. The open upper end portion 50 has a front upstanding wallportion 52, a rear upstanding wall portion 54, a left upstanding wallportion 56, and a right upstanding wall portion 58. A transfer linechannel 60 located in the front upstanding wall portion 52 is sized toreceive a transfer line (not shown). A load line throughway 62 locatedin the rear upstanding wall portion 54 provides a location forattachment of a load line mounting assembly 100 (See FIGS. 7-8). Theupper end portion 50 of the reservoir 24 terminates in an integrallymolded J-shaped lip 64 having a sidewall portion 66 and a rolloverportion 68. Lip gussets 70 spaced about the circumference of the openupper end portion 50 between the sidewall portion 66 and the rolloverportion 68 strengthen the integrally molded J-shaped lip 64 and the openupper end portion 50 of the reservoir 24.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, the front channel 60 is positioned oppositethe load line throughway 62 located in the rear upstanding wall portion54. Integrally molded internal reinforcing ribs 72 in the rear portion54 of the upstanding wall 48 strengthen the rear upstanding wall portion54 at the point of attachment of the load line connection spillagecontainer 20 to the load line. Integrally molded external reinforcingribs 74 extend downwardly along the exterior 76 of the rear upstandingwall portion 54 of the reservoir 24 and continue across the exterior 78of the bottom 46 of the reservoir 24 (See FIG. 6). Bores 80 spacedaround the load line throughway 62 are used to attach the load linemounting assembly 100 shown in FIGS. 7-8.

Still referring to FIGS. 4-6, an integrally molded lock bracket 82projecting outwardly from the J-shaped lip 64 has a bore 84 forreceiving a lock (not shown). The lock bracket 82 mates with the recess36 in the container cover 22 so the bore 38 aligns with the bore 84 inthe lock bracket 82 to receive the lock (not shown).

Still referring to FIGS. 4-6 in conjunction with FIG. 2, the integrallymolded J-shaped lip 64 extends from one side of the rear upstanding wallportion 54 along the top of the right upstanding wall portion 58, thenaround the transfer line channel 60 in the front upstanding wall portion52, and along the top of the left upstanding wall portion 56 to theother side of the rear upstanding wall portion 54. When the reservoircover 22 is closed on the reservoir 24, as shown in FIG. 2, the coverlip 30 extends downwardly around the upper end portion 50 of thereservoir 24 and the downwardly extending member 34 of the reservoircover 22 rests against the J-shaped lip 64 along the transfer linechannel 60 in the reservoir 24, thereby closing off the transfer linechannel 60. Thus the cover 22, in the closed position, preventsaccumulation of water, snow, and debris within the reservoir 24. Thecover 22 also prevents small animals from gaining access to thereservoir 24. Yet the reservoir 24 is vented to avoid buildup ofchemical vapors.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the reservoir 24 is sized based on the volumeof spillage to be contained. Likewise, the load line throughway 60 issized to accommodate the pipe size of the loading line. For largevolumes of spillage, the load line connection spillage container 20 canoptionally be supported by the ground (with or without a concrete slab)or by a stand used to align the load line throughway 60 with the loadline. When so deployed, the bores 80 are unnecessary.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-6, integrally molded reservoir hinge brackets86 project rearwardly from the top portion 88 of the rear upstandingwall portion 54 of the reservoir 24. Each hinge bracket 86 has a pinbore 90 for receiving a hinge pin 42 (See FIG. 3). Integrally moldedgussets 92 reinforce and strengthen the hinge brackets 86. As shown inFIG. 3 (enlarged detail), the reservoir cover hinge members 40 enclosethe hinge brackets 86. When the reservoir cover 22 is in the openposition, as shown in FIG. 3, the extent to which the reservoir cover 22will open is limited, by contact of the reservoir cover hinge members 40with the bottom sides 94 of the hinge brackets 86, to an angle 96greater than 90 degrees. The integrally molded gussets 92 provideadditional strength to what might otherwise be a failure point as thecover is moved from the closed position, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, to theopen position illustrated in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-8, a load line mounting assembly 100 is shown.The load line mounting assembly 100 consists of a length of pipe 102threaded on each end 104, 106 and a flange 108 located between the ends104, 106. Flange bores 110 in the flange bores 108 mate with thethroughway bores 80 spaced around the load line throughway 62 located inthe rear upstanding wall portion 54 of the reservoir 24. Fasteners 112secure the flange 108 to the rear upstanding wall portion 54. Forsecurity, bolts with locking nuts are preferred for the fasteners 112.

Still referring to FIGS. 7-8, an optional cleanout assembly 120 attachedto the load line mounting assembly 100 permits evacuation of contents ofthe reservoir 24 through a transfer line (not shown). A valve 122connects a suction line 124 to the load line mounting assembly 100 byappropriate pipe fittings 126 through a threaded bore 128 adjacent thethreaded end 104 of the length of pipe 102. The suction line 124 issized to extend from the valve to just above the bottom 46 of thereservoir 24. In operation, while the transfer line is in place and apump is pulling tank contents into the tank truck, the valve 122 isopened and any liquid which has accumulated in the reservoir 24 will betransferred to the tank truck.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the load line connection spillage container 20is shown in conjunction with an optional bottom drain assembly 140. Avalve 142 is connected at one end by appropriate pipe fittings 146 tothe bottom 46 of the reservoir 24. A drain line 144 extends downwardlyfrom the other end of the valve 142. When the valve 142 is opened, anyliquid collected within the reservoir 24 of the load line container 20drains from the reservoir 24 into an appropriate container (not shown).

Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, the advantages of the current inventioninjection molded load line connection spillage container 20 areapparent. The integrally molded internal reinforcing ribs 72 and theintegrally molded external reinforcing ribs 74 permit attachment of theload line connection spillage container 20 to a loading line, using theload line mounting assembly 100, without use of additional steel collarsand saddles.

Still referring to FIGS. 9-10, the optional bottom drain assembly 140permits removal of any liquid which may accumulate in the reservoir 24.A valve 142 connects a drain line 144 to the reservoir 24 by appropriatepiping 146 through a threaded bore 148 in the bottom 46 of the reservoir24. As shown in FIG. 10, the precise location of the threaded bore 148in the bottom 46 of the reservoir 24 is arbitrary. Any convenientlocation is within the scope of the present invention.

Referring again to FIG. 10 in conjunction with FIG. 11, the load lineconnection spillage container 20 is shown with an optional saddle 150which extends from the rear upstanding wall portion 54 downward andacross the bottom 46 of the reservoir 24. Saddle bores 152 align withthe bores 80 spaced around the load line throughway 60, and the saddle150 is secured by the fasteners 112 used to secure the load linemounting assembly 100 to the rear upstanding wall portion 54 of thereservoir 24. One threaded end 106 of the pipe length 102 of the loadline mounting assembly 100 extends through a cutout 154 in the saddle150.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the load line connection spillage container 20is shown with an optional backing plate 160. The backing plate 160 hasbacking plate bores 162 which align with the bores 80 spaced around theload line throughway 60, and the backing plate 160 is secured by thefasteners 112 used to secure the load line mounting assembly 100 to therear upstanding wall portion 54 of the reservoir 24. One threaded end106 of the pipe length 102 of the load line mounting assembly 100extends through a cutout 164 in the backing plate 160.

It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the saddle 150 andthe backing plate 160 are primarily cosmetic and not needed to supportthe weight of the load line connection spillage container 20 and itscontents.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the load line connection spillage container 20according to the present invention is shown in conjunction with anoptional enclosed main valve, an optional cleanout assembly, and anoptional sampling assembly. The load line mounting assembly 100 shown inFIGS. 7-9 is secured to the rear upstanding wall portion 54 of thereservoir 24. A main valve 170 is connected at one end to the threadedend 104 of the load line mounting assembly 100 by a pipe fitting 172. Ashort pipe 174 connects the other end of the main valve 170 to a quickconnect fitting 176. On one side of the short pipe 174, an optionalcleanout assembly 120 (See FIGS. 8-9) is connected to the short pipe 174by a threaded bore 178 (not shown) in the wall of the short pipe 174. Onthe other side of the short pipe 174, an optional sampling assembly 180is connected to short pipe 174 through a second threaded bore 182 (notshown) in the wall of the short pipe 174.

Still referring to FIG. 13, the sampling assembly 180 includes a valve184, a goose-neck sample tap 186 attached to one end of the valve 184,and a pipe fitting 188 connecting the other end of the valve 184 to thethreaded boar 182 in the wall of the short pipe 174.

It will be understood by one skilled in the art that load lineconnection spillage container 20, when configured as shown in FIG. 13with the optional main valve 170, the optional cleanout assembly 120,and the optional sampling assembly 180, offers substantial advantages tooil field operators. With the load line connection spillage containerlocked, access is restricted to the load line, thereby precludingunauthorized persons from draining the storage tank. The cleanoutassembly 120 permits easy removal of liquids from the reservoir 24, andthe sampling assembly 180 permits sampling of crude oil or other liquidsbeing transferred from the storage tank to the tank truck.

The load line connection spillage container 20 can be manufactured fromany thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic material suitable forinjection molding. The most commonly used thermoplastic materials arepolystyrene (low cost but lacking the strength and longevity of othermaterials), ABS or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (a ter-polymer ormixture of compounds used for everything from toy parts to electronicshousings), polyamide (chemically resistant, heat resistant, tough andflexible), polypropylene (tough and flexible), polyethylene (also toughand flexible), and polyvinyl chloride or PVC (more commonly extruded tomake pipes, window frames, or wiring insulation where high proportionsof plasticizer are added for flexibility). Plastics reinforced withshort fibers can also be injection molded.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, an optional flow meter assembly 200positioned at a convenient location measures the flow between thestorage tank (not shown) and the tank truck (not shown). Many differenttypes and styles of flow meters are well known in the art. In-line flowmeters are placed in a transfer line using suitable fittings. Newtechnological breakthroughs have enabled measurement of fluids,including oil and water mixtures, using clamp-on designs. It will beunderstood by one skilled in the art that the flow meter assembly 200may be placed either within or without the reservoir 24.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention and its practical application,to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize theinvention and various embodiments with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scopeof the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and theirequivalents.

1. A load line connection spillage container device comprising: areservoir comprising a bottom portion, an upstanding wall portion havingan upper surface, a load line throughway and reinforcing ribs moldedinto the reservoir; a reservoir cover; and a threaded coupler forsecuring a load line positioned in the load line throughway.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1 further comprising a cleanout assembly, the cleanoutassembly comprising a valve attached to the threaded coupler and asuction line extending downward from the valve, wherein opening thevalve during transfer of liquid through the threaded coupler causes anyliquid which has accumulated in the reservoir to be removed.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1 further comprising a saddle having an opening thereinto permit access to the load line throughway, wherein the saddlesubstantially overlies the reinforcing ribs.
 4. The device of claim 1wherein the upper surface of the upstanding wall portion opposite theload line throughway is lower than the load line throughway therebypermitting receipt of an unloading line extending from the threadedcoupler.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing ribs extenddownward from the load line throughway to the bottom of the reservoir.6. A load line connection spillage container for catching and retainingliquid spilled when liquids are pumped between storage tanks andtankers, wherein the transfer line from the storage tank ischaracterized as a load line and the transfer line from the tanker ischaracterized as an unloading line, the load line connection spillagecontainer comprising: a reservoir defined by a bottom and upstandingwalls, the upstanding walls being further characterized as a rearupstanding wall portion, a front upstanding wall portion, a leftupstanding wall portion, and a right upstanding wall portion, the rearupstanding wall portion having a load line throughway therein;reinforcing ribs molded into the rear upstanding wall portion; areservoir cover, said reservoir cover hingedly attached to thereservoir; a threaded coupler positioned in the load line throughway forsecuring a load line to the container; and a saddle substantiallyoverlying the reinforcing ribs.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein thereinforcing ribs extend from the rear upstanding wall portion to thebottom of the reservoir and are similarly molded into the bottom of thereservoir.
 8. The device of claim 6 further comprising a cleanoutassembly, the cleanout assembly comprising a valve attached to thethreaded coupler and a suction line extending downward from the valvewherein opening the valve during transfer of liquid through the threadedcoupler causes any liquid which has accumulated in the reservoir to beremoved.
 9. The device of claim 6 wherein the saddle is attached to thethreaded coupler.
 10. The device of claim 6 further comprising asampling assembly for sampling liquid transferred between the storagetank and the tanker, the sampling assembly comprising: a pipe fittingattached to the threaded coupler, the pipe having a generally horizontalpipe-threaded bore therein; and a valve connected at one end to thegenerally horizontal pipe-threaded bore in the pipe and at the other endto a goose-neck sample tap.
 11. The device of claim 6 further comprisingan enclosed main valve, wherein the enclosed main valve is attached tothe threaded coupler within the reservoir by a pipe fitting.